The Champion of Dragons

Usashibo had never questioned his reason to slay the dragon. The thought of surrendering his dream seemed so alien it did not merit consideration, but her words raised doubt. Perhaps the dragon could kill me as it did all the others. After so many consecutive victories, the thought of defeat appalled Usashibo. He knew he must fight the dragon, if only to prove himself invincible. If he quit now, all his striving and sacrifice meant nothing. One moment of weakness would make him and everything he believed in a deadly joke. Ideals are worth dying for. I have trained my entire life for this one fight. If I cannot win, I deserve to die...

- © Mickey Zucker Reichert

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